Pittsburgh Fashion Week No. 3 debuts with splashy eco-chic

Model Shaneka Lavae, right, 25, of the North Side, gets some help putting on a feathered headdress from stylist Roni Gilmore, left, and designer Lana Neumeyer, center, before the 'Green is the New Black' eco-chic fashion show kicking off Pittsburgh Fashion Week at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland on Monday, September 24, 2012.
Stephanie Strasburg | Tribune-Review

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Model Darius Lomax, 25, of Rankin, is seen framed by a collection of dangling necklaces while getting ready for the 'Green is the New Black' eco-chic fashion show kicking off Pittsburgh Fashion Week at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland on Monday, September 24, 2012. Lomax is wearing a design by Lana Neumeyer, who is heavily influenced by the bright colors of her native country, Brazil.
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Electronic pop artist Melody Joy, 22, of New York City, gets help putting on her outfit from designer Faith Pongracz of 'Faith n' Khaos ' behind a black curtain before the 'Green is the New Black' eco-chic fashion show kicking off Pittsburgh Fashion Week at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland on Monday, September 24, 2012. Pongracz inspiration for her collection of hats included an exploration of destruction and decay.
Stephanie Strasburg | Tribune-Review

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Model Susan Fancsali, 20, of Pleasant Hills is accessorized by stylist Roni Gilmore before the 'Green is the New Black' eco-chic fashion show kicking off Pittsburgh Fashion Week at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland on Monday, September 24, 2012. Fancsali was modeling pieces of a collection by O'Hara Township designer Lana Neumeyer.
Stephanie Strasburg | Tribune-Review

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Pittsburgh Fashion Week founder and executive-director Miyoshi Anderson speaks to the models and crew of the 'Green is the New Black' eco-chic fashion show before kicking off Pittsburgh Fashion Week at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland on Monday, September 24, 2012.
Stephanie Strasburg | Tribune-Review

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A model strikes a pose at the end of the runway in an outfit designed by Lana Neumeyer at the 'Green is the New Black' eco-chic fashion show at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland on Monday, September 24, 2012. The show was the first of a series of fashion shows and festivities throughout the region as a part of the kick off for Pittsburgh Fashion Week.
Stephanie Strasburg | Tribune-Review

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A model struts the runway in an outfit designed by iman B. at the 'Green is the New Black' eco-chic fashion show at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland on Monday, September 24, 2012. The show was the first of a series of fashion shows and festivities throughout the region as a part of the kick off for Pittsburgh Fashion Week.
Stephanie Strasburg | Tribune-Review

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Marla Evankovich, 15, of Wexford, holds still as stylist Roni Gilmore secures a headdress to her hair before the 'Green is the New Black' eco-chic fashion show kicking off Pittsburgh Fashion Week at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland on Monday, September 24, 2012. Evankovich was modeling pieces of a collection by O'Hara Township designer Lana Neumeyer.
Stephanie Strasburg | Tribune-Review

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A model works the runway in an outfit designed by Lana Neumeyer at the 'Green is the New Black' eco-chic fashion show at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland on Monday, September 24, 2012. Now a resident of O'Hara Township, Neumeyer's collection was inspired heavily by her native Brazil. The show was the first of a series of fashion shows and festivities throughout the region as a part of the kick off for Pittsburgh Fashion Week.
Stephanie Strasburg | Tribune-Review

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A model in a feather headdress and checked ensemble kicks off the 'Green is the New Black' eco-chic fashion show with a bang while walking the runway in an outfit designed by Lana Neumeyer at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland on Monday, September 24, 2012. Now a resident of O'Hara Township, Neumeyer's collection was inspired heavily by her native Brazil. The show was the first of a series of fashion shows and festivities throughout the region as a part of the the kick off for Pittsburgh Fashion Week.
Stephanie Strasburg | Tribune-Review

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Pittsburgh Fashion Week founder and executive-director Miyoshi Anderson applauds as she watches the 'Green is the New Black' eco-chic fashion show during the opening of Pittsburgh Fashion Week at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland on Monday, September 24, 2012.
Stephanie Strasburg | Tribune-Review

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A model is seen walking the runway in a design by iman B. through the arm of one of the many photographers at the 'Green is the New Black' eco-chic fashion show at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland on Monday, September 24, 2012. The show was the first of a series of fashion shows and festivities throughout the region as a part of the kick off for Pittsburgh Fashion Week.
Stephanie Strasburg | Tribune-Review

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A model wearing a piece by hat designer 'Faith n' Khaos' struts the runway at the 'Green is the New Black' eco-chic fashion show at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland on Monday, September 24, 2012. The show was the first of a series of fashion shows and festivities throughout the region as a part of the kick off for Pittsburgh Fashion Week.
Stephanie Strasburg | Tribune-Review

Once things got underway about 20 minutes after the scheduled time, the 350-plus guests were treated to a show with eco-chic flair. “The O.N.E. Opening Night Extravaganza: Green is the New Black” took place at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum in Oakland.

After a heart-moving video from the evening's charity, Free Wheelchair Mission, a company that provides wheelchairs to disabled people across the globe, the runway shows began.

The evening showcased three fashion designers – all with Pittsburgh ties. More than 50 models took part.

Brazilian native Lana Neumeyer of O'Hara is known for her colorful, lively pieces and bold designs because, to her, it is always “carnival time.” She instructed her models to dance down the runway in their dresses, skirts and coats made from everything from a Brazilian fabric called Chita to burlap.

Next up was designer Mary Margaret Stewart, a Squirrel Hill native who lives in California and is creator of the line Iman B. Her clothing is all hand-painted, made in the USA and features slimming silhouettes in darker, more subdued colors, some practically see-through.

A dance performance -- choreographed by Katie Alexander with costumes designed by Angie Fec of Sew Addicted! -- followed.

Next up, Mt. Lebanon native Faith Pongracz, who lives in New York, showcased her unusual headwear which is inspired by street fashion and punk rock and do-it-yourself style that comes across as extremely edgy. Her models moved robotically down the runway, most wearing all black -- even covering their faces -- to bring the attention to the hat or head covering showcasing her Faith n' Khaos line.

Pongracz is obsessed with trash and uses everything from bottle caps to broken mirrors to trash bags.

In the audience was Emmy-award winning stylist David Zyla, who has helped dress soap opera star Susan Lucci and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and is author of the book “Color Your Style.“

“I thought the entire show was great,” Zyla said. “I thought all three designers were masterful in what they were trying to accomplish. There was great variety and they all pushed the boundaries.”

This was not the first time Soldiers & Sailors hosted a fashion event, but it was the first time for Pittsburgh Fashion Week to bring its style to the Oakland venue. Marjorie Henderson, director of development for Soldiers & Sailors hopes it's an annual partnership.

“I love fashion so this was so exciting to me,” said Henderson. “I am glad they decided to have opening night here. ... I love seeing professional models and imagining myself in one of those dresses.”

Opening night show producer Charissa Livingston said having this show at such an historic venue was unbelievable and she hopes to be back here again.

“I love the diversity in opening night too with the designers,” Livingston said. “This event can create jobs for designers and give them the opportunity to pursue a career in this industry without having to go to New York.”

Fashion week executive director Miyoshi Anderson says she thought the evening went exactly as planned and the three designers complemented each other.

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